Pharmacist Job Outlook

The Pharmacist Job Outlook is quite good, with employment of pharmacists is expected to increase by 25 percent from 2010 to 2020, better than the average for all occupations. Several factors are likely to contribute to this favorable Pharmacist Job Outlook. Scientific advances will lead to new drug products. More people may get insurance coverage for medications. The number of older people is growing, and older people use more prescription medicines than younger people. All of these trends point toward increasing utilization of prescription drugs, which will enhance the demand for pharmacists. In addition, as healthcare continues to become more complex and as more people take multiple medications, more pharmacists will be needed to counsel patients on how to use their medications safely.

Demand is also likely to increase for pharmacists in physicians' offices, outpatient care centers, and nursing homes. Because a significant number of pharmacists are expected to retire in the coming decade, new pharmacists should expect good job prospects.